I admit it: I have "empty tank syndrome." I have a 29-gallon tank and it's got me thinking about keeping some sort of amphibian. (I am slowly working on the project of adopting a Bearded Dragon as well -- this would be after that. I'm a researcher-type, and it will probably take me months to go through research and setup.)

Based on what I have read online, I am inclined to think that Fire-Belly Toads might be a good choice, though that would require me to try to build a wall into the tank to create land/water sections, get a heater for winter, filter, etc. I can do that, though.

But I'm also kind of interested in the idea of a terrestrial salamander, like a Tiger. And I'm open to other ideas from those who have experience with amphibians (are there aquatic newts that are pretty easy?). Whatever I might do eventually, I know that this would be an animal(s) that is for enjoying visually, not something the kids and I would hold.

Ideas or input anybody?

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Amy

I have a family private owned pet store right down from my house and they have orange newts for sale and they are really easy she said to take care of. She actually has 3-6 of them at a time in a little 5 gal. tank half water and land but she said most of the time they are in the water.

Not to rain on your parade intentionally, but "orange newt" sounds like yet another fake name generated by the pet industry. Not that you did, but wherever you ordered them from probably just didn't know what they are. If you can get a picture or a description, I can probably ID it for you. They could be rough-skinned newts (Taricha granulosa). These are a very common newt in captivity with brown dorsal coloration and orange ventral colors. Be careful though, they're also the most toxic newt species known to science and will definitely make you sick if you ingest the poison. They won't kill you unless you eat a whole newt though. Other possibilities incude a Tylototriton verrucosus, which *very* occasionally will be seen as "orange newt". You may also have red efts, which would explain how you can fit that many in a tank that size, and thus is what I'd assume is the most likely species. Speaking of which though, that many newts in a 5 gallon sounds slightly crowded, though I don't know exactly how large they are. If they are red efts, eh, I guess I'd call it 'iffy'.


As for an amphibious suggestion Amy, I was going to suggest the two species you already mentioned However, aquatic newts are also a decent choice. The biggest downside to newts I think is trying to maintain such a low temperature. If you want something that will be fun to watch, I'd go with the toads. Unlike most amphibians, oriental fire-bellied toads are fairly diurnal and active, and prefer to live in small groups. If it were me, I'd go with the tiger salamander. They don't do much and they love to hide, but I just have a bias for sallies

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I had fire bellied newts... I know it is a common name and there are two that have the same common name, they are the ones that are jet black on top and bright orange on the bottom, they were really easy to care for, or at least I found them to be, I put whisper filter suction cupped to the side of the aquarium, 1/2 inch of aquarium gravel, and a few coral colored flat stones in the tank with them and filled the water up so that they could climb out onto the stones. They lived for a long time, they were my first walking pet that was entrusted to me, I thought it was huge when I was a kid. They are escape artists though. Feeding was always really cool, I would put a teaspoon of black worms in and watch them all go hunting, and they were all fairly active.

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TKE:TT:118

I too would suggest fire belly newts. I have never personally owned one but one of my old teachers did as a class pet and it was really easy to take care of. Actually my cousin is getting two of them once I move my iguana into his bigger enclosure so she can have his small stand and she will buy a smaller, and lighter tank for her newt but they are fairly active and are really cool to handle and watch.

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Chris Kerr.

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I also would suggest a fire belly newt. I have one. I use to have two but one was a cannibal.

Just to be informative because I like taxonomy (and I like being informative ), the term "fire-bellied newt" applies to a genus rather than a species, and thus there are currently 6-7 (the genus is undergoing changes) newts that can correctly be referred to as fire-bellied. The two most commonly seen in the pet trade are the Japanese (Cynops pyrrhogaster) and the Chinese (Cynops orientalis). They're nearly identical, both being dark brown or black above and bright orange or red below and sharing the same size and pattern. Chances are you had Chinese though, as they seem to be more common. It is possible to destinguish them using their common names, it's just more difficult to distinguish them using their actual physical appearances

These too are a pretty decent choice as far as beginner amphibians go. Two other species I always recommend are horned frogs and clawed frogs, though if you're looking for something exciting these are far from that. If you're looking for something that will eat anythig you put in front of it though, these are great species Extremely low maintinence, but also comparatively boring.

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I agree about the "orange" thing that;s just what it's called and I just figured I would suggest it. I am not personally into amphibians I am into snakes and lizards, so I don't know to much about them I just thought they were neat and figured I would mention them.

Yeah but now I want to figure out what they are Do you have any pictures or could you describe them? If they are indeed red efts they're just a juvenile stage of the eastern newt and they will get bigger, change color, and require a habitat change.

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Thanks for all the replies, guys! I guess in mulling it over, I'm thinking that I'd prefer something that can live in a little group (ie., non-cannibalistic) would be good. If we're not going to be able to hold the animals, it would be nice to feel like they're a little family, lol. So maybe the fire-bellied toads are the way to go.

SO -- next question. What's an easy way to set up a tank for them? I am an absolute neophyte when it comes to anything aquarium, so I have no idea how to set up a filter if it can't hook over the top of the tank like the one on my little 10-gal tank of tetras... Can I just silicone in a glass divider and then set up half as land with moss, some hides, etc., and a pool on the other side with a filter and some rocks for clambering in and out? I don't think I want to get as elaborate as the false-bottom setups I've seen online... Any ideas?

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Amy